As stated by Chief Suhr during Monday’s press conference, information pertaining to the investigation of the officer involved shooting that occurred on Saturday, July 16, 2011 would be released as it becomes available.

Results from the analysis of evidence collected from the hands of Kenneth Harding revealed that GSR (gunshot residue) was present on Harding’s right hand. The presence of gunshot residue on Harding’s right hand supports statements from witnesses that Harding held the gun in his right hand as he fired at the police officers.

The presence of GSR on an individual’s hands indicates that either: the individual fired a gun, the individual was in close proximity to a gun as it was discharged or that the individual touched a gun or other object with GSR on its surface and particles were transferred to his/her hands.

“Community Meeting this Wednesday, 7/20 at 6:00pm at the Bayview Opera House (3rd Street at Oakdale Ave.). Please join us to discuss the recent shooting. Questions? Call (415) 554-7670.”

And here’s the SFPD invite for the same event:

“San Francisco Police Department Community Meeting July 20th

Posted Date:7/18/2011

Police Chief Greg Suhr will conduct a community meeting on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at The Bayview Opera House, 4075 Third Street, at 6:00pm. The meeting will focus on the recent officer involved shooting at Third Street and Palou Avenue.

For further information please contact the San Francisco Police Department Community Relations Unit by calling 415-734-3280, or emailing the unit at

@chuckdamailmanYou’re talking about 1:23 into the video. That’s not a handgun…it’s a small rectangle object and I heard from some that it was his cell phone. Trust me, no gun would be that close to the police and they allow it to stay there. Ahmad770 21 minutes ago

@Ahmad77015 seconds in bro.. there’s a gun on the bottom right corner. not to say it was this young man’s weapon, because it could have been anybody’s gun. I’m just saying there is a gun in the video. this type of thing frustrates me to the point where I would like to do something. I won’t say what that something is. These punk cowards are KILLING our youngsters out here!!! chuckdamailman 3 minutes ago]

[UPDATE: The SFPD weighs in. Oh, and they’ll have a community meeting in the Bayview on this topic sometime this week, it’s planned.

On Saturday, July 16, 2011 at 4:44pm two uniformed San Francisco Police officers were assigned to a fixed post at Third Street and Palou Street as part of a violence reduction program, in response to recent shootings in the area.

Information is still preliminary. The officers detained a 19 year old male suspect on the Muni light rail platform. This suspect then ran from the police officers who pursued him on foot. It appears that the suspect was armed with a gun and fired at the pursuing officers. At least one of the officers returned fire, in self defense, wounding the suspect. The suspect was transported to the hospital with life threatening injuries. He was pronounced deceased at 7:01 pm.

No officers were injured in this incident. The matter remains under investigation by the Internal Affairs Division (Officer Involved Shooting Team), the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, the Office of Citizen’s Complaints and the SFPD Homicide Detail.”]

As a result of cooperation from the community and using information obtained through video taken at the scene, just after the incident, San Francisco Police have recovered a handgun believed to be the one used by the suspect in Saturdays incident. The suspects firearm was apparently taken from the ground as officers tended to the suspect and before officers could clear the scene and establish a crime scene.”]

“The BART Police Department maintains several specialized units to deal with the variety of needs which may arise within the BART system. One of these units is the SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics) Team.

The department’s SWAT Team was established to deal with situations within the BART system which require equipment, techniques and training which are beyond the norms for most police officers.

Personnel assigned to the SWAT Team and assigned personnel have other full-time assignments within the department. Personnel are selected from applicants based on a range of criteria including: physical fitness, firearms proficiency, and supervisory recommendations. Members of the team receive specialized training from several sources including local F.B.I. courses and joint training with other local teams. Personnel on BART’s SWAT Team have developed proficiency with a number of specialized weapons and with techniques designed to increase their efficiency and safety in dealing with situations unique to underground transit systems.

Team members train on scenarios which include situations on-board trains within tunnels, on elevated trackways, or in stations. In addition to situations unique to the BART system, the department’s SWAT Team is also utilized to make “high-risk entries” pursuant to warrants obtained by the department. When crimes occur within the BART system which lead to the issuance of arrest or search warrants, an evaluation is done to determine if the service of the warrant will present a risk to officers or the public. In cases where there is a high potential for violence, the SWAT Team is utilized for the initial entry.

The use of the specially trained team members decreases the likelihood for resistance and enhances the safety of police personnel, occupants of the residence and the surrounding community.

The department’s Hostage Negotiation Team works in conjunction with the SWAT team.”

If I ever get busted by the BART police, I hope it’s the SWAT team that does it…